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Anniversary Flashback: Legace’s Legacy
by IwoCPO on 01/06/09 at 09:10 AM ET
Comments (23)
Thanks to Monkey who recommended I take a gander at the WayBack Machine. Boom. The long, lost A2Y archives. Does it go all the way back to 1977 when we started this thing? No. Just three years.
But sit down for this. Apparently, and I’m still coming to grips with this, we used to actually like Manny Legace around here.
Check this out:
On February 5th, 2006? Manny Legace led the league in save percentage and GAA. And his future was secure in Hockeytown. He could do no wrong.
This is after 33 games, 744 shots, more than 1800 minutes of ice time.
And there he is. 2.02 in the “new” NHL.
Legace has stopped 76 of his last 79 shots. He stands sixth in the league in save percentage, fifth in shutouts, 9th in wins (while 22nd in games played).
He hasn’t given up more than 3 goals in his last 17 games. No one in the top 20 goalies can claim that. Kiprusoff comes the closest as he’s gone 12 games without giving up four.
In fact, Legace has given up 4 goals only twice.
This is your goalie, Detroit. The debate, if it still rages in dark corners we don’t like to talk about, is over. The Chris Osgood apologists…and oh, yes they’re still out there…must put the kool aid down.
Because today, Manny Legace is unquestionably the number 1 goalie.
Not just in Detroit, either.
And there was more. So much more.
Hell, there’s like ten Legace-related posts in a span of three days.
It’s a flashback bitches. A flashback to the heady times when Manny was our hero.
For about three more months anyway. Then the roof frigging caved in and punched us right in the face a few days into May.
May 2nd, go to the post titled, “I wish this was the third period.”
He played well, very well, the first two periods. But 4 goals, no matter how tough they would have been to stop, in the third period…exceptional goalies make one of those saves. Legace, for a variety of reasons, is not an exceptional goalie.
And don’t forget this...a day later.
It was a total collapse. Having said that, the prominent finger of blame goes right toward Legace. I’m a firm believer that a goalie’s worth is much more than stats, that we have to look deeper at the performance of the entire team and judge that based on how they play in front of their goalie. This team lost confidence in Legace due in no small part to his consistent self-flagellation in the press and his occasional jabs at his teammates.
I’ve read other places, and here, that Legace is a scapegoat, an easy figure of scorn for those of us who expected much more this postseason. Yeah? Agreed. It’s in the job description. But that doesn’t mean we should view his performance any less critically. Dwayne Roloson was in perfect position the whole series. He challenged shooters and stood tall when he really had to. Manny Legace played scared and let in 4 third-period goals in an elimination game. Tough goals, yes. But, Brodeur makes one, probably two of those saves. So does Kiprusoff.
It’s not Manny’s fault that he’s not as talented as the elite goaltenders in this league. But the fact remains that he just isn’t. If he’s on my t-ball team, I keep him in there because I don’t want to crush his spirit or hurt his feelings. Plus I don’t want an angry mom kicking my ass for pulling him.
But this is the business of professional sports and mediocrity at that position in this town doesn’t cut it. The Wings lost for a variety of reasons. One big one is an average goaltender. And an average goaltender isn’t going to do the trick in a pressure-cooker like the playoffs.
See ya Manny.
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Comments
See ya Manny.
Yeah, see ya in the post gamers whining. Tee hee.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/06/09 at 10:45 AM ET
Thanks to Monkey who recommended I take a gander at the WayBack Machine. Boom. The long, lost A2Y archives. Does it go all the way back to 1977 when we started this thing? No. Just three years.
Happy Anniversary!
You know, I remember the days when I had a man-crush on Legace. 2000-01, 24-5-5. I still think he’s arguably the best back-up goaltender in the league.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 01/06/09 at 01:15 PM ET
That “he’s” stands for “he was”! I swear! Oh jesus, please don’t hurt me....
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 01/06/09 at 01:20 PM ET
Seriously, though, I remember being very vocal about Manny back then, about how he should be the started. I thought the Wings were wasting their money when they brought in Cujo; I knew it was only a matter of time before Legace took over. And he did. And then, well, you know. Ugh. That third period was so painful to watch.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 01/06/09 at 01:28 PM ET
Chief, I spewed projectile vomit during that period.
Great call on the Wayback Machine, Monkey. I should’ve thought of that. We use it regularly to look back at past pages on our web sites. Looks like they haven’t updated any site since 2007.
Posted by Cwix from Roanoke, VA on 01/06/09 at 01:58 PM ET
I never liked Manny. I’ll never forget a comment Manny made, although I do not remember which season. He referred to himself as the weak link. Talk about a lack of confidence. And it always showed in the playoffs. Huge choker. With that kind of mentality I’m surprised he wasn’t sent packing sooner than later.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 01/06/09 at 02:43 PM ET
This sort of makes you guys look like hypocrites.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/06/09 at 05:06 PM ET
I was pretty much the same way Chief. I had been begging for Legace to get his chance to shine. I always felt he was underappreciated. and then the 4 goal debacle happened, and that was it.
I’m a Red Wings fan, just like the rest of us. So it doesn’t take much for a goalie to go from my hotlist to my sh*tlist. Joseph did it with his unbelievably ability to not stop a weak shot in 2003 against the Poultry. sure, he may have only allowed 1 or 2 goals in every game of that sweep, but I just remember almost every GWG in that series was a relatively pathetic one. Game one was a Stumpy Thomas slapshot that never left the ice, and somehow went through Joseph’s legs. Game 2 I think was something similar, then game 3 was Joseph pulling a Roy and giving the puck to the Poultry behind the net so they could shoot at an open net. Game 4 was the only difference, in that it was the Poultry’s first goal that was bad. That Jason Krog turn-around slapper from the right half boards. Kariya’s OT winner I’ll cut Joseph a break on, because Kariya does have a pretty good shot, and we were killing a penalty I believe. But the game should’ve never had to go to OT because Joseph let in a softie.
That series is still engrianed in my mind, just as the kick to the balls that happened 4 years later is too. And as 34.7 will also be forever etched in my mind.
I hate the Poultry.
What were we talking about?
Oh yeah Legace!
The only things I remember from that series against the Oil, are Hank’s brilliant goal in game 6. The Captain, at freaking 40 being our best player, which really said something about how the rest of the guys performed. And Legace’s fall from grace.
Posted by Alzy from Innisfail, Alberta, Canada on 01/06/09 at 05:26 PM ET
This sort of makes you guys look like hypocrites.
Not real sure a fan can ever be a hypocrite, or that I give a shit.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/06/09 at 06:03 PM ET
I never liked Manny. I’ll never forget a comment Manny made. He referred to himself as the weak link.
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 01/06/09 at 02:43 PM ET
If I’m not mistaken, which could be a first, Manny actually made that comment DURING the series with Edmonton which culminated in Lilja’s best period, the projectile-vomit inducing 3rd period.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 01/06/09 at 06:11 PM ET
This sort of makes you guys look like hypocrites.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/06/09 at 05:06 PM ET
That’s the way to continue to distance yourself from The 19.
It is essential Detroit sports. Manny started the season setting an all-time NHL record for wins in the month of October and finished the season with his ass parked in section 412 while his teammates tried to stop this guy
from shoveling puck after puck into the net, WTF do you expect?
What, you’ve never cheered when a player was hot then pi**ed on him when he served up turds? If not, you haven’t followed sports long.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 01/06/09 at 06:24 PM ET
I think you’re right RWBill.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 01/06/09 at 06:26 PM ET
Every sports fan is a hypocrite at some point.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/06/09 at 06:29 PM ET
Every sports fan is a hypocrite at some point.
Tyler? We dig you. But you confuse me at times. I’m cool with that, but just letting you know.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 01/06/09 at 06:32 PM ET
RWBill, I am of course referring to the Manny post.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 01/06/09 at 06:33 PM ET
I don’t get the hypocrite comment. We used to love Manny, but then we found out he wasn’t what we thought he was, so we turned on him. What’s the problem?
This is the whathaveyoudoneformelatelydogeatitsownmother world of professional sports. What are we supposed to do, wrap the guy up in warm laundry, rub his little tummy, and tell him everything will be alright?
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 01/06/09 at 06:35 PM ET
For example, if a Wings gets called for the weakest hook possible, we’re going to be disgusted if they score on the PP. If it happens to the other team after that, we’ll be happy we got a goal from it. Sure, we admit that it’s a bad call on either team, but...you know what, switch it. It makes more sense if the other team gets called first and we score, then the Wings get called.
Bleh. I wasn’t aware my comments were catching any attention. I always assumed the people with the puck avatar were ignored. I’ll think a little more before I offer up my thoughts from now on.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/06/09 at 06:42 PM ET
Babcock doesn’t tolerate crybaby goaltenders. His pimp hand was shown last year when he benched Hasek in favor of Osgood.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 01/06/09 at 06:44 PM ET
I’ll think a little more before I offer up my thoughts from now on.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/06/09 at 06:42 PM ET
Oh Jeebus, no, you’ll be the only one not saying stupid stuff then you’ll really stand out!
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 01/06/09 at 06:47 PM ET
There is an inherent bias that comes along with being a fan of one particular team.
Now, if you’re just a fan of the sport in general, that’s great, but you won’t have that bias and you might not understand it.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 01/06/09 at 06:48 PM ET
Oh Jeebus, no, you’ll be the only one not saying stupid stuff then you’ll really stand out!
Well, someone needs to fill the void left by Baroque, right?
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 01/06/09 at 06:49 PM ET
I’ll think a little more before I offer up my thoughts from now on.
Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/06/09 at 06:42 PM ET
Hey Tyler. Please do not worry about thinking. No one here does. It’s all good.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 01/06/09 at 06:51 PM ET
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Wow. Something good was born out of that series - the Cheif tearing into Manny. No wonder it comes so naturally now.
Posted by eyesris from Chestertown, MD on 01/06/09 at 10:11 AM ET